A seasoned litigator with over three decades of experience at top international law firms and as Deputy General Counsel at Google, Tim Alger brings his expertise as a full-time mediator and arbitrator to Alger Resolutions.
Tim focuses on resolving through negotiation disputes involving business competition and transactions, intellectual property, defamation, privacy, civil rights, and the legal cannabis industry. He has deep knowledge of the laws that matter in these types of disputes, which many times are not just a disagreement over money. He understands what is at stake for individuals and companies. As a creative problem-solver, he excels at helping parties evaluate litigation risks, costs, and benefits. His goal is to reach a fair and practical resolution.
Renowned for his success in litigating cutting-edge cases nationwide, Tim has represented diverse clients in cases involving contracts, business ownership, copyrights, trademarks, class actions, and online harmful speech. Tim now offers his services as a mediator, believing in the power of negotiation to provide more satisfactory outcomes than increasingly costly, uncertain litigation.
Before law school, Tim had a distinguished 12-year career as an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor, covering the courts in California and Colorado. He then spent nine years at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, eight years as an equity partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, and then served as Deputy General Counsel at Google, directing large in-house legal teams responsible for global civil litigation, patent litigation, antitrust and privacy litigation and related regulatory enforcement actions, employment, and the company’s trademark portfolio. Tim’s work at Google included development and implementation of company strategy regarding privacy, competition, patent licensing and enforcement, advertising, trademarks, and news aggregation. Later, he joined Perkins Coie LLP as an equity partner in its Palo Alto and Los Angeles offices. His work both as in-house and outside counsel has made him a leading expert in liability for online platforms, including social media and web-based marketplaces and services.
In 2016, Tim established his own law practice, successfully representing plaintiffs and defendants in high-profile cases involving online and traditional media clients and business entrepreneurs across various sectors including the legal cannabis industry. His expertise in evolving cannabis regulations and the complex interplay between state and federal laws has proven invaluable in guiding parties towards resolutions that address that industry’s unique challenges.
Tim’s unique perspective, combining a deep understanding of complex litigation in unsettled areas of law with practical experience as both an advocate and client, makes him an exceptional full-time mediator. He firmly grasps the interests of business clients and the need for creative problem-solving while remaining patient and understanding of plaintiffs’ needs, ensuring their perspectives are fully considered and addressed. Tim’s even-handed approach and commitment to finding equitable resolutions enable him to effectively navigate the concerns of all parties. He is available full-time at his offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara, and nationwide on virtual platforms, and will travel when requested for multiparty cases.
Professional Experience
- Mediator, Alger Resolutions (2024-present)
- Principal, Alger Law APC (2016-present)
- Shareholder, Emerge Law Group (2020-2023)
- Partner, Perkins Coie, LLP (2011-2016)
- Deputy General Counsel, Google, Inc. (2008-2011)
- Partner, Quinn Emanuel (2001-2008)
- Associate, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP (1992-2001)
- Assistant Metro Editor, Staff Writer, The Orange County Register (1979-1989)
Notable Appellate Court Decisions
- Garcia v. Google Inc., Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: Defeated motion by actress for injunction removing controversial “Innocence of Muslims” video from YouTube, which was affirmed, en banc, by the Ninth Circuit. 786 F.3d 733 (2015).
- Summit Media LLC v. City of Los Angeles, California Court of Appeal, Second District; Los Angeles Superior Court: Obtained writ invalidating agreement allowing the conversion of billboards into digital displays despite ban on new advertising signs. Affirmed on appeal, resulting in court orders turning off 100 digital billboards throughout Los Angeles. 211 Cal.App.4th 921, 150 Cal.Rptr. 3d 574 (2012).
- Carafano v. Metrosplash.com, Inc., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: Successfully represented dating website in which the Ninth Circuit confirmed the immunity for websites for user postings under the Communications Decency Act (“CDA”). 339 F.3d 1119 (2003).
- Fair Housing Council v. Roommates.com LLC, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: Represented roommate-matching service throughout eight years of litigation and two appeals, obtaining a decision that the First Amendment protected the selection of cohabitants. The case also resulted in a landmark en banc ruling by the Ninth Circuit addressing the limits of the CDA. 666 F.3d 1216 (2012); 521 F.3d. 1157 (2008).
- Concept Chaser Co., Inc. v. Pentel of America, Ltd., California Court of Appeal; Los Angeles Superior Court: Obtained the reversal in post-trial motions and on appeal of a $32 million jury verdict for fraud and breach of contract. No. B241929 (2014).
- Negro v. Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, Sixth District; Santa Clara County Superior Court: Represented Google in challenging court order requiring disclosure of user email account. Court of Appeal ordered disclosure only if user expressly consented. 230 Cal.App.4th 879, 179 Cal.Rptr. 3d 215 (2014).
- Los Angeles Times v. Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, California Court of Appeal, Second District; Los Angeles Superior Court: Obtained a watershed ruling that a person seeking public records is entitled to recover all attorney fees from the government when the court orders disclosure of just some, but not all, the requested documents. 88 Cal.App.4th 1381, 107 Cal.Rptr.2d 29 (2001).
Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
- M.A., Journalism, University of Colorado
- B.A., magna cum laude, Seton Hall University
ADR Training/Panels
- UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings School of Law), Center for Negotiation & Dispute Resolution, Fundamentals of Mediation Certificate, 2022
- Resolve Law LA, Los Angeles Superior Court
Professional licenses
- State Bar of California
- U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of California
Membership & professional affiliations
- First Amendment Coalition
- Media Law Resource Center
- Southern California Mediation Association
- California Cannabis Industry Association
- National Cannabis Industry Association
- International Cannabis Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Santa Barbara County Bar Association
- Orange County Bar Association
- San Francisco Bar Association
- Ventura County Bar Association
- California NORML
- American Bar Association, Section on Dispute Resolution and Forum on Communications Law
Personal
When he’s not mediating, Tim enjoys scuba diving in the South Pacific with his wife, Catherine, and spending time with their two young Bernedoodles, Callie and Crosby. He also is attempting, with limited success, to become competent at flyfishing. He lives in Santa Barbara.
Case Manager
Nikki Safavi
The gatekeeper for Alger Resolutions, Nikki brings years of law office and ADR case management experience. She handles case scheduling, manages Tim’s availability, and ensures prompt, high-quality customer service. Nikki is your go-to contact for questions about the ADR process and insights into Tim’s expertise. Reach out to her directly for all Alger Resolutions inquiries.
